Donate Now! Dreams for Orphans

P.O. Box 9983 Seattle, WA 98109

www.dreamsfororphans.org

Dreams for Orphans is a

501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization

If you would like to be removed from

our mailing list, email Judy Killion at info@dreamsfororphans.org

Our Mission

Working together

to give hope to orphans

in developing countries

through education and

safe environments.

A mother speaks of

The Joys of Sponsorship By Melanie Napp

T o give the gift of an education to a child at the Osu Children’s home has an immeasurable impact on their life. Education is the building block for hu-

man development and that is particularly so for an orphan. I am so fortunate to be a flight attendant for Delta Airlines because it allows me to see first hand the difference sponsorship makes for a child. Just knowing that someone in the world cares for them builds incredible self confidence, self esteem and for the first time in their young lives, makes them feel so proud. To receive a letter from their sponsor or perhaps some school supplies is so appreciated. I’m lucky to see the smile on their faces and the difference it makes in their day. Sponsorship is a gift

My experience is a little out of the ordinary. I have a personal relation-ship with “my” kids at Osu due to my job. I began sponsoring an ador-able little girl, Kuukwa. She had recently arrived at Osu and seemed so sad, quiet and lonely. I later found out that that wasn’t at all her nature. As soon as she began school, put on her uniform and backpack, she changed completely to a chatty, happy and confident little girl. Be-fore I knew it, Isaac and then Christi-ana both came into my life — and I had three sponsored children! It truly is a gift having them in my life. It has extended my family; we just have a few miles between us. I have ex-pectations for them. I ask that they try hard in school the same as I ask of my daughter at home. The sponsored children understand that they are the lucky ones and they definitely do not take that for granted. Giving an education to a child in Africa simply means they have a chance in life. A chance of a job, a chance to be happy and a chance for a future. And sponsors have a chance to experience the joys of sponsorship. For more information on sponsorship email info@dreamsfororphans.org.

Inside This Issue • Founder’s Corner……….....2

• Atsu’s Story……..….………2

• Spreading the Word..…......3

• St. Anne Helps Again….….3

• Delta Salutes DFO …….…3

Volume 2, Edition 1

Autumn 2011

Sponsored children from left: Kuukwa,

Christiana and Isaac.

The Founder’s Corner

I visit the kids each month in Accra at their respective schools. I speak with their teachers and the headmistress at the schools. I can see from the look on the children’s faces how much it means to them. It has changed them in many ways. I can see the hope that it has given them to know some-one cares. The favorite line the kids and I share is “Education is the key to success.” Graduations coming up!

This year two of our students will be graduating high school and will be applying to univer-sity for the next year. I hope to attend both ceremonies. I will be sure to have tissue in my pocket as I know the difficult challenges that they face every

day but never let it stop them from achieving their goals.

Sponsorship grows We have grown our sponsorship program and hope to continue to grow it in the future.

Education — the

key to a

brighter future.

Dreams for Orphans is not only is

working on a safe environment for the children but includes education in our mission statement as well. For these children it can mean a brighter future.

Kary Doerfler Co-Founder

2

Atsu’s Story

Smiles, like that on the face of this boy — Atsu — happen when children receive love and encour-agement. Atsu is in the 7th grade and he is hold-ing his winning entry in a science fair at his school. With him is volunteer Dan Crembola who was in Ghana for five months. Atsu’s project is the proto-type of a machine to shine shoes, his own idea. Atsu graduated in July and will be attending high school. He will soon be receiving an even bigger prize as Dan and his family have decided to sponsor Atsu at his next level of education.

As the new school year begins and I

send my own children back to school, I simultaneously send our ten sponsored Dreams for Orphans

children back to school in Ghana. Thanks to the special people who are sponsors and committed themselves to sending these students through the entirety of their school careers

Co-Founder Kary Doerfler

with Moses, one of her spon -

sored children.

Lives are changing. I am never more proud than when

Spreading the Word in Chicago

Bricks for Babies Get a Big Boost

When Delta Airlines flight attendant Lisa Burke comes

home to the Chicago area from Ghana she shares her experiences with friends and her family. “They can’t wait to hear about the kids they’ve grown to know and

love through me,” she says.

See Chicago, P. 3

St. Anne School Helps Again

Led by the 7th grade, St. Anne school recently collected old electronic gear and turned it into cash to help raise funds for a new nursery at Osu Chil-drens School., The idea of Karen deKlaver and her children Landon and Elsa, the drive urged peers, neighbors and parishioners to turn in their retired

electronic gizmos for “upcycling.” The obsolete smart phones, cellphones, iPods, iPhones, laptops, video game consoles, video games, digital cameras, mp3 players and more came pour-

ing in. Not only did the drive help clean up the environment, it generated more than $2,200 for the nursery. A special thank you to the 7th grade class and for the St. Anne com-munity for embracing this electronic drive on

behalf of Dreams for

Orphans. It’s amaz-ing what can be ac-complished for others even in the busy days leading up to the end of the school year.

3

Chicago, from p. 2

“So many have asked ‘How can we help?’ especially my friend Laurie Knoll,” which led to a successful fundraiser at Laurie’s house. “We invited friends and family and the

word got out and we had a great crowd.

Building awareness

We had a wonderful evening of food, drinks and great con-versations about the kids. We raised over $3,500 for the new nursery. But even more important we raised aware-ness about the orphanage and the basic needs of these great kids. The concern and support from my family and friends

has just been amazing. I love it!”

Lisa has embraced the Dreams for Orphans mission wholeheartedly:

• She has involved her whole family, which made a trip

to Ghana to visit Osu with her.

• Her son collected 300 pairs of athletic shoes for the

Osu kids.

• She has spread the Dreams message in the Chicago area through stories in the Chicago and Naperville, IL

newspapers.

• She raised a significant contribution to our recent

“Viral Campaign.”

And just as important, she loves to hang out with the Osu

kids, often enjoying coloring with them.

Save the Date

Chopstix is Coming!

Remember how much fun the

Chopstix fundraiser was last year?

It’s coming again on December 4.

Mark your calendar. Don’t miss it

Landon and Elsa deKlaver

P. O. Box 9983 Seattle, WA 98109 www.dreamsfororphans.org

Steve Kennedy 206-651-5100

Thank you to these businesses for their continued support.

www.avenueoneresidential.com

Specializing in the leasing and monthly management of homes, condominium units, and townhomes.

Avenue One is proud to support Dreams for Orphans

Julie Landry 206.458.4096 julie@avenueoneresidential.com Tracy Smith 206.877.3620 tracy@avenueoneresidential.com

Jewelry by Juliet Roger. . .”the jewelry you love to own.” Queen Anne private studio by appointment.

206-282-3300, Juliet@julietroger.com